Nursing Registration Exams Report 2021
College of Nurses of Ontario
May 17, 2022
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Note: This is a revised version of the Nursing Registration Exams Report 2021, dated May 17, 2022. The original report was published on March 21, 2022. This version includes revised data for Laurentian University RN exam writers, which affected the program’s English and French pass rates, as well as the pass rates for French-language RN programs. There were no changes to the overall and Ontario-educated RN pass rates. We strive to ensure rigor when sharing data with our stakeholders and have updated the report to reflect the most accurate data. CNO apologizes for any inconvenience.
Introduction
The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is the governing body for nurses in Ontario, Canada. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting safe nursing practice.
CNO sets the requirements for becoming a nurse in Ontario and the standards of practice that nurses must meet to maintain that designation. Only a person with a valid certificate of registration from CNO can practice as a nurse in Ontario and use the protected titles: nurse, Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) or Nurse Practitioner (NP).
CNO publishes annual statistics reports to provide data for stakeholders about the nurses it registers. CNO continually enhances its reports based on stakeholder feedback. To find out more about CNO’s statistical resources or to sign up for its statistics announcements, please visit www.cno.org/stats.
Methods and Notes
Who is included in this report?
Most applicants who register with CNO must successfully complete two examinations: a registration examination and a jurisprudence examination. The registration exam tests whether the writer has the knowledge, skill and judgment to provide safe care during their first year of practice. The jurisprudence exam tests the writer’s knowledge of nursing and health care legislation in Ontario.
This report only includes the results of the registration examinations for applicants to CNO.
Three types of applicants require successful completion of a registration examination when applying to CNO:
- Registered Nurses in the General Class (RNs)
- Registered Practical Nurses in the General Class (RPNs)
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs)1
Registration exam requirements
Applicants complete the following Council-approved2 registration exams:
RN applicants complete the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).3
- Prior to 2017, RN applicants had three attempts to write their registration exam. Following the implementation of a registration regulation change on January 9, 2017, RN applicants now have an unlimited number of writes of the NCLEX-RN.
RPN applicants complete the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE).
- RPN applicants had three attempts to write their registration exam.
NP applicants complete a registration exam for the NP specialty they are applying to: Adult, Paediatrics or Primary Health Care.
NP applicants have three attempts to write their registration exam.
In 2021, the following NP registration exams were available to Ontario applicants:4
- NP-Adult: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination
- NP-Paediatrics: The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Certification Examination
- NP-Primary Health Care: The Canadian Nurse Practitioner Examination or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination
Location of nursing education
Location of nursing education is the province or country where an applicant’s education took place. This report groups locations into the following: Ontario; other Canadian provinces or territories; and international.
Ontario: This group is for applicants who applied to CNO after completing an approved Ontario nursing program.
- An Ontario nursing program is one that is offered at an Ontario university or college, and is approved by CNO’s Council for registration as a nurse in Ontario.
- In Ontario, nursing programs approved for RN registration grant baccalaureate degrees in nursing. Nursing programs approved for RPN registration grant diplomas in practical nursing from a college of applied arts and technology (CAAT). Nursing programs approved for NP registration grant postbaccalaureate certificates, master’s degrees or post-master’s diplomas.
Other Canadian provinces or territories: This group is for applicants who applied to CNO after completing a nursing program in a Canadian province or territory other than Ontario.
International: This group is for applicants who applied to CNO after completing a nursing program outside of Canada.
Pass rates
This report provides pass rate statistics, separated by attempt number. An attempt pass rate is the percentage of applicants who passed the exam on that given attempt of the exam. A first-attempt pass rate is the percentage of applicants who passed the exam on their first attempt. A year-end pass rate is the percentage of applicants who wrote the exam for the first time during that year and passed the exam by the end of that year.
Sections RN exam pass rates by attempt, RPN exam pass rates by attempt and NP exam pass rates by attempt show attempt pass rates regardless of the year in which the applicant wrote the exam for the first time, while sections First-attempt pass rates for French-language RN programs in Ontario, First-attempt pass rates for French-language RPN programs in Ontario and First-attempt pass rates for French-language NP programs in Ontario show first-attempt pass rates only. Sections First-attempt and year-end pass rates of RN applicants by Ontario university, program and collaborative partner, First-attempt and year-end pass rates of RPN applicants by Ontario college, program and campus and First-attempt and year-end pass rates of NP applicants by specialty and Ontario university show first-attempt and year-end pass rates for applicants who wrote the exam for the first time during the indicated year.
Registered Nurse Exam Writers
RN exam pass rates by attempt
In 2021, 7,631 Registered Nurse (RN) applicants to CNO wrote the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) at least once.
Overall writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 5,253 | 75.8% | 5,671 | 79.3% | 5,689 | 79.1% | 5,963 | 77.2% | 6,548 | 74.6% |
| Second | 1,178 | 52.9% | 1,150 | 47.7% | 1,163 | 53.6% | 1,271 | 57.3% | 1,452 | 52.5% |
| Third | 487 | 46.4% | 530 | 42.1% | 536 | 43.3% | 511 | 39.7% | 599 | 41.4% |
| Fourth | 185 | 38.4% | 247 | 35.2% | 257 | 35.4% | 289 | 38.8% | 283 | 34.6% |
| Fifth | 56 | 33.9% | 120 | 31.7% | 137 | 32.1% | 151 | 29.8% | 170 | 27.6% |
| Sixth | 13 | 30.8% | 65 | 29.2% | 70 | 15.7% | 83 | 36.1% | 101 | 29.7% |
| Seventh | 2 | 0.0% | 31 | 25.8% | 39 | 15.4% | 46 | 26.1% | 52 | 25.0% |
| Eighth | 0 | — | 16 | 12.5% | 20 | 25.0% | 34 | 26.5% | 26 | 19.2% |
| Ninth | 0 | — | 9 | 11.1% | 16 | 0.0% | 12 | 25.0% | 25 | 24.0% |
| Tenth | 0 | — | 3 | 0.0% | 11 | 9.1% | 12 | 8.3% | 16 | 50.0% |
| Eleventh | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 9 | 11.1% | 10 | 20.0% | 7 | 14.3% |
| Twelfth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 6 | 0.0% | 9 | 11.1% | 3 | 0.0% |
| Thirteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 3 | 33.3% | 6 | 16.7% | 5 | 20.0% |
| Fourteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 2 | 50.0% | 2 | 0.0% | 6 | 0.0% |
| Fifteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 3 | 0.0% | 4 | 0.0% |
| Sixteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 2 | 0.0% | 2 | 0.0% |
| Seventeenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 3 | 0.0% |
| Eighteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 2 | 0.0% |
| Nineteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — |
| Twentieth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% |
| Twenty-first | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% |
| Twenty-second | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% |
Ontario-educated writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 4,445 | 79.5% | 4,679 | 83.9% | 4,701 | 83.8% | 4,480 | 84.0% | 4,612 | 81.5% |
| Second | 912 | 57.1% | 775 | 54.1% | 790 | 58.9% | 716 | 64.9% | 780 | 64.5% |
| Third | 368 | 48.4% | 345 | 47.0% | 332 | 48.5% | 263 | 43.0% | 269 | 48.7% |
| Fourth | 147 | 38.8% | 157 | 36.9% | 146 | 39.0% | 153 | 39.2% | 109 | 45.9% |
| Fifth | 49 | 30.6% | 80 | 40.0% | 75 | 32.0% | 75 | 34.7% | 76 | 30.3% |
| Sixth | 12 | 33.3% | 45 | 28.9% | 35 | 25.7% | 34 | 35.3% | 54 | 31.5% |
| Seventh | 2 | 0.0% | 24 | 25.0% | 15 | 0.0% | 24 | 33.3% | 20 | 15.0% |
| Eighth | 0 | — | 12 | 8.3% | 13 | 23.1% | 16 | 31.2% | 10 | 10.0% |
| Ninth | 0 | — | 9 | 11.1% | 8 | 0.0% | 5 | 60.0% | 14 | 35.7% |
| Tenth | 0 | — | 3 | 0.0% | 7 | 0.0% | 5 | 0.0% | 8 | 50.0% |
| Eleventh | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 7 | 14.3% | 5 | 40.0% | 3 | 0.0% |
| Twelfth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 6 | 0.0% | 3 | 33.3% | 1 | 0.0% |
| Thirteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 3 | 33.3% | 2 | 50.0% | 1 | 0.0% |
| Fourteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 2 | 50.0% | 0 | — | 2 | 0.0% |
| Fifteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | 0.0% |
| Sixteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — |
| Seventeenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — |
| Eighteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — |
| Nineteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — |
| Twentieth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% |
| Twenty-first | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% |
| Twenty-second | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% |
Other province/territory-educated writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 109 | 83.5% | 128 | 85.2% | 100 | 89.0% | 75 | 82.7% | 104 | 90.4% |
| Second | 21 | 33.3% | 19 | 26.3% | 12 | 83.3% | 13 | 61.5% | 6 | 83.3% |
| Third | 12 | 50.0% | 10 | 50.0% | 10 | 90.0% | 5 | 60.0% | 1 | 0.0% |
| Fourth | 5 | 20.0% | 5 | 20.0% | 2 | 0.0% | 5 | 40.0% | 3 | 66.7% |
| Fifth | 1 | 0.0% | 4 | 0.0% | 1 | 0.0% | 3 | 33.3% | 1 | 100.0% |
| Sixth | 0 | — | 3 | 33.3% | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | 0.0% |
| Seventh | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% |
| Eighth | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — | 1 | 100.0% |
| Ninth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 2 | 0.0% | 0 | — | 0 | — |
| Tenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — | 1 | 100.0% |
| Eleventh | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — |
| Twelfth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — |
| Thirteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — |
| Fourteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% |
| Fifteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% |
Internationally-educated writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 699 | 51.1% | 864 | 53.6% | 888 | 53.3% | 1,408 | 55.4% | 1,832 | 56.2% |
| Second | 245 | 38.8% | 356 | 34.8% | 361 | 41.0% | 542 | 47.0% | 666 | 38.1% |
| Third | 107 | 39.3% | 175 | 32.0% | 194 | 32.0% | 243 | 35.8% | 329 | 35.6% |
| Fourth | 33 | 39.4% | 85 | 32.9% | 109 | 31.2% | 131 | 38.2% | 171 | 26.9% |
| Fifth | 6 | 66.7% | 36 | 16.7% | 61 | 32.8% | 73 | 24.7% | 93 | 24.7% |
| Sixth | 1 | 0.0% | 17 | 29.4% | 33 | 6.1% | 48 | 37.5% | 46 | 28.3% |
| Seventh | 0 | — | 6 | 33.3% | 23 | 26.1% | 22 | 18.2% | 31 | 32.3% |
| Eighth | 0 | — | 3 | 33.3% | 6 | 33.3% | 18 | 22.2% | 15 | 20.0% |
| Ninth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 6 | 0.0% | 7 | 0.0% | 11 | 9.1% |
| Tenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 3 | 33.3% | 7 | 14.3% | 7 | 42.9% |
| Eleventh | 0 | — | 0 | — | 2 | 0.0% | 4 | 0.0% | 4 | 25.0% |
| Twelfth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 5 | 0.0% | 2 | 0.0% |
| Thirteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 3 | 0.0% | 4 | 25.0% |
| Fourteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 2 | 0.0% | 3 | 0.0% |
| Fifteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 2 | 0.0% | 2 | 0.0% |
| Sixteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 2 | 0.0% |
| Seventeenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 3 | 0.0% |
| Eighteenth | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 2 | 0.0% |
First-attempt pass rates for French-language RN programs in Ontario
Two Ontario universities offer RN programs in French: Laurentian University and University of Ottawa.
Exam writers can choose to write their registration exam in either English or French and can change their choice on subsequent attempts.
The table below shows 2018-2021 first-attempt pass rates for applicants from French-language RN programs in Ontario and the languages in which the applicants wrote their exams.
| Ontario RN university, program, collaborative partner, and language of instruction | Language of exam | Writes | Pass Rate | Writes | Pass Rate | Writes | Pass Rate | Writes | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurentian University Full (French) | French | 0 | — | 0 | — | 3 | 100.0% | 4 | 25.0% |
| English | 54 | 74.1% | 21 | 85.7% | 27 | 66.7% | 28 | 82.1% | |
| Total | 54 | 74.1% | 21 | 85.7% | 30 | 70.0% | 32 | 75.0% | |
| University of Ottawa Full with La Cité collégiale (French) | French | 3 | 33.3% | 15 | 66.7% | 18 | 72.2% | 0 | — |
| English | 62 | 83.9% | 43 | 86.0% | 58 | 89.7% | 48 | 81.2% | |
| Total | 65 | 81.5% | 58 | 81.0% | 76 | 85.5% | 48 | 81.2% | |
| University of Ottawa Specified for RPN with La Cité collégiale (French) | French | 2 | 50.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 0 | — | 0 | — |
| English | 1 | 0.0% | 5 | 80.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 1 | 0.0% | |
| Total | 3 | 33.3% | 6 | 83.3% | 1 | 100.0% | 1 | 0.0% | |
| University of Ottawa Compressed (English and French) | French | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — |
| English | 0 | — | 0 | — | 2 | 50.0% | 0 | — | |
| Total | 0 | — | 0 | — | 2 | 50.0% | 0 | — | |
| University of Ottawa Compressed (French)* | French | 0 | — | 2 | 50.0% | 2 | 50.0% | 0 | — |
| English | 8 | 87.5% | 3 | 100.0% | 6 | 100.0% | 9 | 100.0% | |
| Total | 8 | 87.5% | 5 | 80.0% | 8 | 87.5% | 9 | 100.0% | |
| Grand Total | French | 5 | 40.0% | 18 | 66.7% | 23 | 73.9% | 4 | 25.0% |
| English | 125 | 79.2% | 72 | 86.1% | 94 | 83.0% | 86 | 82.6% | |
| Total | 130 | 77.7% | 90 | 82.2% | 117 | 81.2% | 90 | 80.0% | |
| *In 2016, CNO split the University of Ottawa Compressed (English and French) program into two programs: University of Ottawa Compressed (English) and University of Ottawa Compressed (French). Now CNO will only use the original combined program for applicants who graduated when the original combined program was still in effect. |
First-attempt and year-end pass rates of RN applicants by Ontario university, program and collaborative partner
In Ontario, 15 universities offer RN nursing programs. Some universities offer more than one nursing program and some offer nursing programs in collaboration with a college. The table below shows Ontario RN applicants’ first-attempt pass rates by university, program and collaborative partner for 2018-2021. It also shows year-end pass rates for Ontario RN applicants whose first attempt was during that year.
Program definition guide
The following RN program types are available in Ontario:
Full: Direct entry
A program for students who meet standard admission criteria. They complete a structured nursing curriculum in its entirety and attain an academic credential (a university degree or CAAT diploma).
Compressed: Second-level entry
A program for students who meet admission criteria based on pre-determined university credits. They complete a shorter curriculum than the direct-entry full program and attain an academic credential (a university degree or CAAT diploma).
Specified: Pre-health related
A program for students who meet admission criteria based on pre-determined health-related credentials. They complete a specific nursing curriculum and attain an academic credential (a university degree, CAAT diploma or NP specialty certificate).
| Ontario university, program and collaborative partner | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brock University | 93 | 76.3% | 82.8% | 103 | 77.7% | 91.3% | 82 | 80.5% | 91.5% | 96 | 74.0% | 89.6% |
| Brock University Full | 93 | 76.3% | 82.8% | 103 | 77.7% | 91.3% | 82 | 80.5% | 91.5% | 96 | 74.0% | 89.6% |
| Brock University Full | 56 | 78.6% | 82.1% | 60 | 81.7% | 95.0% | 48 | 89.6% | 100.0% | 58 | 86.2% | 96.6% |
| Brock University Full with Loyalist College | 37 | 73.0% | 83.8% | 43 | 72.1% | 86.0% | 34 | 67.6% | 79.4% | 38 | 55.3% | 78.9% |
| Lakehead University | 174 | 85.1% | 87.4% | 162 | 85.2% | 92.6% | 139 | 78.4% | 91.4% | 139 | 75.5% | 91.4% |
| Lakehead University Full for Regional-Community | 13 | 69.2% | 76.9% | 4 | 50.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — |
| Lakehead University Full for Regional-Community with Confederation College | 13 | 69.2% | 76.9% | 4 | 50.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — |
| Lakehead University Full with Confederation College | 95 | 84.2% | 86.3% | 96 | 81.2% | 91.7% | 102 | 73.5% | 89.2% | 89 | 75.3% | 92.1% |
| Lakehead University Full with Confederation College | 95 | 84.2% | 86.3% | 96 | 81.2% | 91.7% | 102 | 73.5% | 89.2% | 89 | 75.3% | 92.1% |
| Lakehead University Compressed | 66 | 89.4% | 90.9% | 62 | 93.5% | 93.5% | 37 | 91.9% | 97.3% | 50 | 76.0% | 90.0% |
| Lakehead University Compressed | 66 | 89.4% | 90.9% | 62 | 93.5% | 93.5% | 37 | 91.9% | 97.3% | 50 | 76.0% | 90.0% |
| Laurentian University | 426 | 79.6% | 87.3% | 416 | 77.6% | 89.7% | 385 | 80.5% | 94.5% | 338 | 79.0% | 90.2% |
| Laurentian University Full (French) | 54 | 74.1% | 87.0% | 21 | 85.7% | 85.7% | 30 | 70.0% | 83.3% | 32 | 75.0% | 84.4% |
| Laurentian University Full (French) | 54 | 74.1% | 87.0% | 21 | 85.7% | 85.7% | 30 | 70.0% | 83.3% | 32 | 75.0% | 84.4% |
| Laurentian University Full | 372 | 80.4% | 87.4% | 395 | 77.2% | 89.9% | 355 | 81.4% | 95.5% | 306 | 79.4% | 90.8% |
| Laurentian University Full | 65 | 76.9% | 83.1% | 64 | 78.1% | 90.6% | 56 | 85.7% | 96.4% | 60 | 75.0% | 91.7% |
| Laurentian University Full with Cambrian College | 70 | 62.9% | 77.1% | 70 | 68.6% | 88.6% | 53 | 79.2% | 90.6% | 45 | 68.9% | 88.9% |
| Laurentian University Full with Northern College | 26 | 92.3% | 96.2% | 38 | 78.9% | 89.5% | 32 | 75.0% | 90.6% | 24 | 83.3% | 83.3% |
| Laurentian University Full with Sault College | 53 | 88.7% | 94.3% | 76 | 73.7% | 85.5% | 54 | 87.0% | 98.1% | 60 | 76.7% | 88.3% |
| Laurentian University Full with St. Lawrence College | 158 | 84.8% | 89.9% | 147 | 82.3% | 92.5% | 160 | 80.0% | 96.9% | 117 | 86.3% | 94.0% |
| McMaster University | 545 | 89.0% | 95.8% | 550 | 90.7% | 96.5% | 524 | 88.0% | 96.0% | 469 | 85.3% | 94.0% |
| McMaster University Full | 356 | 87.1% | 94.4% | 320 | 90.9% | 96.6% | 301 | 87.7% | 96.7% | 254 | 85.0% | 93.7% |
| McMaster University Full | 143 | 88.1% | 95.1% | 125 | 92.8% | 98.4% | 114 | 94.7% | 98.2% | 103 | 88.3% | 97.1% |
| McMaster University Full with Conestoga College | 110 | 88.2% | 94.5% | 110 | 89.1% | 96.4% | 97 | 84.5% | 96.9% | 86 | 81.4% | 89.5% |
| McMaster University Full with Mohawk College | 103 | 84.5% | 93.2% | 85 | 90.6% | 94.1% | 90 | 82.2% | 94.4% | 65 | 84.6% | 93.8% |
| McMaster University Specified for RPN | 112 | 91.1% | 97.3% | 162 | 88.9% | 95.7% | 147 | 84.4% | 92.5% | 144 | 80.6% | 91.7% |
| McMaster University Specified for RPN with Conestoga College | 63 | 93.7% | 98.4% | 72 | 90.3% | 95.8% | 62 | 83.9% | 91.9% | 75 | 85.3% | 92.0% |
| McMaster University Specified for RPN with Mohawk College | 49 | 87.8% | 95.9% | 90 | 87.8% | 95.6% | 85 | 84.7% | 92.9% | 69 | 75.4% | 91.3% |
| McMaster University Compressed | 77 | 94.8% | 100.0% | 68 | 94.1% | 98.5% | 76 | 96.1% | 100.0% | 71 | 95.8% | 100.0% |
| McMaster University Compressed | 77 | 94.8% | 100.0% | 68 | 94.1% | 98.5% | 76 | 96.1% | 100.0% | 71 | 95.8% | 100.0% |
| Nipissing University | 273 | 76.2% | 89.4% | 297 | 85.9% | 92.6% | 284 | 82.0% | 91.5% | 321 | 77.6% | 89.4% |
| Nipissing University Full | 102 | 80.4% | 91.2% | 92 | 93.5% | 97.8% | 60 | 83.3% | 91.7% | 84 | 83.3% | 91.7% |
| Nipissing University Full with Canadore College | 102 | 80.4% | 91.2% | 92 | 93.5% | 97.8% | 60 | 83.3% | 91.7% | 84 | 83.3% | 91.7% |
| Nipissing University Specified for RPN Blended Learning | 123 | 70.7% | 87.8% | 155 | 80.0% | 89.0% | 172 | 78.5% | 90.7% | 190 | 74.7% | 89.5% |
| Nipissing University Specified for RPN Blended Learning | 123 | 70.7% | 87.8% | 155 | 80.0% | 89.0% | 172 | 78.5% | 90.7% | 190 | 74.7% | 89.5% |
| Nipissing University Specified for RPN On-Campus Learning | 6 | 83.3% | 83.3% | 11 | 72.7% | 81.8% | 16 | 87.5% | 87.5% | 14 | 85.7% | 85.7% |
| Nipissing University Specified for RPN On-Campus Learning with Canadore College | 6 | 83.3% | 83.3% | 11 | 72.7% | 81.8% | 16 | 87.5% | 87.5% | 14 | 85.7% | 85.7% |
| Nipissing University Compressed | 42 | 81.0% | 90.5% | 39 | 94.9% | 97.4% | 36 | 94.4% | 97.2% | 33 | 75.8% | 84.8% |
| Nipissing University Compressed | 42 | 81.0% | 90.5% | 39 | 94.9% | 97.4% | 36 | 94.4% | 97.2% | 33 | 75.8% | 84.8% |
| Ontario Tech University (University of Ontario Institute of Technology) | 203 | 79.8% | 89.7% | 185 | 80.5% | 87.0% | 170 | 76.5% | 87.6% | 214 | 77.1% | 88.8% |
| Ontario Tech Full | 110 | 80.0% | 87.3% | 105 | 79.0% | 85.7% | 81 | 75.3% | 87.7% | 101 | 72.3% | 84.2% |
| Ontario Tech Full with Durham College | 110 | 80.0% | 87.3% | 105 | 79.0% | 85.7% | 81 | 75.3% | 87.7% | 101 | 72.3% | 84.2% |
| Ontario Tech Specified for RPN | 93 | 79.6% | 92.5% | 80 | 82.5% | 88.7% | 89 | 77.5% | 87.6% | 113 | 81.4% | 92.9% |
| Ontario Tech Specified for RPN with Durham College | 46 | 78.3% | 89.1% | 47 | 83.0% | 89.4% | 51 | 78.4% | 88.2% | 67 | 79.1% | 91.0% |
| Ontario Tech Specified for RPN with Georgian College | 47 | 80.9% | 95.7% | 33 | 81.8% | 87.9% | 38 | 76.3% | 86.8% | 46 | 84.8% | 95.7% |
| Queen’s University | 114 | 97.4% | 98.2% | 108 | 98.1% | 99.1% | 117 | 97.4% | 99.1% | 115 | 92.2% | 98.3% |
| Queen’s University Full | 73 | 98.6% | 100.0% | 67 | 98.5% | 98.5% | 85 | 96.5% | 98.8% | 63 | 92.1% | 100.0% |
| Queen’s University Full | 73 | 98.6% | 100.0% | 67 | 98.5% | 98.5% | 85 | 96.5% | 98.8% | 63 | 92.1% | 100.0% |
| Queen’s University Compressed | 41 | 95.1% | 95.1% | 41 | 97.6% | 100.0% | 32 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 52 | 92.3% | 96.2% |
| Queen’s University Compressed | 41 | 95.1% | 95.1% | 41 | 97.6% | 100.0% | 32 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 52 | 92.3% | 96.2% |
| Ryerson University | 586 | 81.1% | 88.7% | 600 | 79.8% | 88.5% | 611 | 77.1% | 86.4% | 705 | 73.8% | 84.1% |
| Ryerson University Full | 461 | 82.4% | 88.9% | 441 | 83.0% | 90.5% | 432 | 80.8% | 89.1% | 447 | 77.9% | 87.9% |
| Ryerson University Full | 173 | 89.0% | 94.2% | 167 | 90.4% | 97.0% | 163 | 89.0% | 96.3% | 171 | 88.9% | 94.2% |
| Ryerson University Full with Centennial College | 140 | 76.4% | 85.0% | 121 | 78.5% | 86.8% | 126 | 73.8% | 81.0% | 132 | 68.9% | 80.3% |
| Ryerson University Full with George Brown College | 148 | 80.4% | 86.5% | 153 | 78.4% | 86.3% | 143 | 77.6% | 88.1% | 144 | 72.9% | 87.5% |
| Ryerson University Pre-Health Education Specified for RPN and Internationally Educated Nurses | 125 | 76.0% | 88.0% | 159 | 71.1% | 83.0% | 179 | 68.2% | 79.9% | 258 | 66.7% | 77.5% |
| Ryerson University | 125 | 76.0% | 88.0% | 159 | 71.1% | 83.0% | 179 | 68.2% | 79.9% | 258 | 66.7% | 77.5% |
| Trent University | 251 | 86.9% | 93.6% | 275 | 81.8% | 92.7% | 298 | 82.6% | 93.3% | 297 | 79.8% | 88.6% |
| Trent University Full | 102 | 84.3% | 92.2% | 117 | 85.5% | 94.9% | 127 | 81.1% | 92.1% | 120 | 80.8% | 89.2% |
| Trent University Full with Fleming College | 102 | 84.3% | 92.2% | 117 | 85.5% | 94.9% | 127 | 81.1% | 92.1% | 120 | 80.8% | 89.2% |
| Trent University Specified for RPN | 80 | 88.7% | 93.8% | 93 | 75.3% | 87.1% | 77 | 81.8% | 90.9% | 97 | 78.4% | 84.5% |
| Trent University Specified for RPN with George Brown College | 80 | 88.7% | 93.8% | 93 | 75.3% | 87.1% | 77 | 81.8% | 90.9% | 97 | 78.4% | 84.5% |
| Trent University Compressed | 69 | 88.4% | 95.7% | 65 | 84.6% | 96.9% | 94 | 85.1% | 96.8% | 80 | 80.0% | 92.5% |
| Trent University Compressed | 69 | 88.4% | 95.7% | 65 | 84.6% | 96.9% | 94 | 85.1% | 96.8% | 80 | 80.0% | 92.5% |
| University of New Brunswick | 254 | 89.0% | 94.1% | 227 | 85.9% | 91.6% | 217 | 88.5% | 93.5% | 223 | 88.3% | 95.1% |
| University of New Brunswick Full with Humber College | 155 | 85.2% | 92.3% | 120 | 77.5% | 85.0% | 117 | 85.5% | 92.3% | 117 | 88.0% | 94.0% |
| University of New Brunswick Full with Humber College | 155 | 85.2% | 92.3% | 120 | 77.5% | 85.0% | 117 | 85.5% | 92.3% | 117 | 88.0% | 94.0% |
| University of New Brunswick Full for RPN with Humber College | 31 | 96.8% | 100.0% | 37 | 94.6% | 97.3% | 32 | 84.4% | 84.4% | 2 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| University of New Brunswick Full for RPN with Humber College | 31 | 96.8% | 100.0% | 37 | 94.6% | 97.3% | 32 | 84.4% | 84.4% | 2 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| University of New Brunswick Compressed with Humber College | 68 | 94.1% | 95.6% | 70 | 95.7% | 100.0% | 68 | 95.6% | 100.0% | 104 | 88.5% | 96.2% |
| University of New Brunswick Compressed with Humber College | 68 | 94.1% | 95.6% | 70 | 95.7% | 100.0% | 68 | 95.6% | 100.0% | 104 | 88.5% | 96.2% |
| University of Ottawa | 358 | 88.3% | 93.6% | 396 | 85.9% | 93.4% | 325 | 92.6% | 96.6% | 367 | 86.1% | 94.6% |
| University of Ottawa Full | 314 | 88.5% | 93.9% | 353 | 85.6% | 93.2% | 277 | 92.8% | 96.8% | 322 | 86.3% | 94.4% |
| University of Ottawa Full | 113 | 88.5% | 96.5% | 147 | 85.0% | 93.9% | 66 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 108 | 93.5% | 98.1% |
| University of Ottawa Full with Algonquin College (English) - Pembroke campus | 33 | 84.8% | 93.9% | 56 | 87.5% | 96.4% | 45 | 93.3% | 95.6% | 33 | 84.8% | 87.9% |
| University of Ottawa Full with Algonquin College (English) - Woodroffe campus | 103 | 94.2% | 97.1% | 92 | 88.0% | 96.7% | 90 | 93.3% | 96.7% | 133 | 82.7% | 94.0% |
| University of Ottawa Full with La Cité collégiale (French) | 65 | 81.5% | 84.6% | 58 | 81.0% | 82.8% | 76 | 85.5% | 94.7% | 48 | 81.2% | 91.7% |
| University of Ottawa Specified for Internationally Educated Nurses | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3 | 66.7% | 100.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — |
| University of Ottawa Specified for Internationally Educated Nurses with Algonquin College | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3 | 66.7% | 100.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — |
| University of Ottawa Specified for RPN | 26 | 84.6% | 92.3% | 34 | 91.2% | 97.1% | 16 | 87.5% | 93.8% | 36 | 80.6% | 94.4% |
| University of Ottawa Specified for RPN with Algonquin College (English) - Woodroffe campus | 23 | 91.3% | 95.7% | 28 | 92.9% | 100.0% | 15 | 86.7% | 93.3% | 35 | 82.9% | 97.1% |
| University of Ottawa Specified for RPN with La Cité collégiale (French) | 3 | 33.3% | 66.7% | 6 | 83.3% | 83.3% | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| University of Ottawa Compressed | 17 | 94.1% | 94.1% | 6 | 83.3% | 83.3% | 31 | 93.5% | 96.8% | 9 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| University of Ottawa Compressed (English and French)* | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 2 | 50.0% | 50.0% | 0 | — | — |
| University of Ottawa Compressed (English)* | 9 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — |
| University of Ottawa Compressed (French)* | 8 | 87.5% | 87.5% | 5 | 80.0% | 80.0% | 8 | 87.5% | 100.0% | 9 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| University of Toronto | 175 | 95.4% | 100.0% | 162 | 96.3% | 98.8% | 168 | 92.9% | 97.0% | 154 | 96.1% | 98.1% |
| University of Toronto Compressed | 175 | 95.4% | 100.0% | 162 | 96.3% | 98.8% | 168 | 92.9% | 97.0% | 154 | 96.1% | 98.1% |
| University of Toronto Compressed | 175 | 95.4% | 100.0% | 162 | 96.3% | 98.8% | 168 | 92.9% | 97.0% | 154 | 96.1% | 98.1% |
| University of Windsor | 342 | 88.3% | 95.6% | 311 | 89.4% | 94.9% | 331 | 91.2% | 97.6% | 341 | 83.6% | 92.7% |
| University of Windsor Full | 342 | 88.3% | 95.6% | 311 | 89.4% | 94.9% | 331 | 91.2% | 97.6% | 341 | 83.6% | 92.7% |
| University of Windsor Full | 118 | 89.0% | 95.8% | 105 | 94.3% | 99.0% | 116 | 94.8% | 98.3% | 127 | 92.1% | 96.9% |
| University of Windsor Full with Lambton College | 57 | 93.0% | 100.0% | 53 | 84.9% | 96.2% | 50 | 90.0% | 96.0% | 48 | 83.3% | 95.8% |
| University of Windsor Full with St. Clair College | 167 | 86.2% | 94.0% | 153 | 87.6% | 91.5% | 165 | 89.1% | 97.6% | 166 | 77.1% | 88.6% |
| Western University | 312 | 91.0% | 95.8% | 316 | 90.8% | 96.5% | 332 | 89.2% | 97.3% | 346 | 88.2% | 97.1% |
| Western University Full | 227 | 88.1% | 94.3% | 222 | 88.7% | 95.0% | 248 | 86.7% | 96.8% | 246 | 87.0% | 96.7% |
| Western University Full | 108 | 89.8% | 96.3% | 108 | 95.4% | 97.2% | 134 | 86.6% | 99.3% | 132 | 87.1% | 96.2% |
| Western University Full with Fanshawe College | 119 | 86.6% | 92.4% | 114 | 82.5% | 93.0% | 114 | 86.8% | 93.9% | 114 | 86.8% | 97.4% |
| Western University Compressed | 85 | 98.8% | 100.0% | 94 | 95.7% | 100.0% | 84 | 96.4% | 98.8% | 100 | 91.0% | 98.0% |
| Western University Compressed | 85 | 98.8% | 100.0% | 94 | 95.7% | 100.0% | 84 | 96.4% | 98.8% | 100 | 91.0% | 98.0% |
| York University | 573 | 72.1% | 79.4% | 593 | 72.2% | 82.8% | 497 | 75.9% | 86.7% | 487 | 79.7% | 89.5% |
| York University Full | 408 | 68.1% | 76.5% | 433 | 70.0% | 82.9% | 374 | 74.1% | 85.8% | 340 | 77.9% | 89.1% |
| York University Full | 0 | — | — | 2 | 50.0% | 50.0% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| York University Full with Georgian College | 153 | 68.0% | 76.5% | 199 | 64.3% | 79.9% | 150 | 72.0% | 85.3% | 134 | 78.4% | 91.8% |
| York University Full with Seneca College | 255 | 68.2% | 76.5% | 232 | 75.0% | 85.8% | 221 | 76.5% | 87.3% | 205 | 78.0% | 87.8% |
| York University Specified for Internationally Educated Nurses | 46 | 73.9% | 82.6% | 44 | 68.2% | 72.7% | 23 | 69.6% | 82.6% | 41 | 87.8% | 95.1% |
| York University Specified for Internationally Educated Nurses | 46 | 73.9% | 82.6% | 44 | 68.2% | 72.7% | 23 | 69.6% | 82.6% | 41 | 87.8% | 95.1% |
| York University Compressed | 119 | 84.9% | 88.2% | 116 | 81.9% | 86.2% | 100 | 84.0% | 91.0% | 106 | 82.1% | 88.7% |
| York University Compressed | 119 | 84.9% | 88.2% | 116 | 81.9% | 86.2% | 100 | 84.0% | 91.0% | 106 | 82.1% | 88.7% |
| Grand total | 4,679 | 83.9% | 90.7% | 4,701 | 83.8% | 91.6% | 4,480 | 84.0% | 92.8% | 4,612 | 81.5% | 91.1% |
| *In 2016, CNO split the University of Ottawa Compressed (English and French) program into two programs: University of Ottawa Compressed (English) and University of Ottawa Compressed (French). Now CNO will only use the original combined program for applicants who graduated when the original combined program was still in effect. |
Registered Practical Nurse Exam Writers
RPN exam pass rates by attempt
In 2021, 8,371 Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) applicants to CNO wrote the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) at least once.
Overall Writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 5,490 | 86.4% | 5,811 | 83.0% | 5,197 | 80.2% | 4,699 | 72.4% | 7,236 | 71.4% |
| Second | 573 | 63.2% | 832 | 58.3% | 807 | 54.3% | 1,037 | 53.8% | 1,952 | 54.1% |
| Third | 182 | 62.6% | 246 | 57.3% | 234 | 52.6% | 307 | 48.2% | 772 | 53.5% |
Ontario-educated writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 3,922 | 92.1% | 4,300 | 89.1% | 3,717 | 88.1% | 2,727 | 86.4% | 4,302 | 81.4% |
| Second | 299 | 69.6% | 448 | 67.0% | 384 | 58.9% | 386 | 59.3% | 696 | 57.9% |
| Third | 72 | 61.1% | 107 | 64.5% | 108 | 50.0% | 127 | 52.8% | 244 | 54.5% |
Other province/territory-educated writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 23 | 95.7% | 22 | 90.9% | 14 | 92.9% | 11 | 100.0% | 15 | 93.3% |
| Second | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — | 0 | — |
| Third | 1 | 100.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | — | 0 | — |
Internationally-educated writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 1,545 | 71.8% | 1,489 | 65.1% | 1,466 | 60.2% | 1,961 | 52.7% | 2,919 | 56.6% |
| Second | 274 | 56.2% | 383 | 48.3% | 422 | 50.2% | 651 | 50.5% | 1,256 | 52.0% |
| Third | 109 | 63.3% | 138 | 51.4% | 125 | 55.2% | 180 | 45.0% | 528 | 53.0% |
First-attempt pass rates for French-language RPN programs in Ontario
Two Ontario colleges offer RPN programs in French: Collège Boréal and La Cité collégiale.
Exam writers can choose to write their registration exam in either English or French and can change their choice on subsequent attempts.
The table below shows 2017-2021 first-attempt pass rates for applicants from French-language RPN programs in Ontario and the languages in which the applicants wrote their exams.
| Ontario RPN program | Language of exam | Writes | Pass Rate | Writes | Pass Rate | Writes | Pass Rate | Writes | Pass Rate | Writes | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collège Boréal | French | 32 | 81.2% | 20 | 95.0% | 17 | 88.2% | 5 | 80.0% | 16 | 100.0% |
| English | 4 | 100.0% | 11 | 90.9% | 7 | 100.0% | 5 | 100.0% | 10 | 90.0% | |
| Total | 36 | 83.3% | 31 | 93.5% | 24 | 91.7% | 10 | 90.0% | 26 | 96.2% | |
| La Cité collégiale | French | 28 | 100.0% | 2 | 50.0% | 9 | 100.0% | 19 | 89.5% | 14 | 71.4% |
| English | 10 | 100.0% | 5 | 80.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 3 | 100.0% | |
| Total | 38 | 100.0% | 7 | 71.4% | 10 | 100.0% | 20 | 90.0% | 17 | 76.5% | |
| Grand Total | French | 60 | 90.0% | 22 | 90.9% | 26 | 92.3% | 24 | 87.5% | 30 | 86.7% |
| English | 14 | 100.0% | 16 | 87.5% | 8 | 100.0% | 6 | 100.0% | 13 | 92.3% | |
| Total | 74 | 91.9% | 38 | 89.5% | 34 | 94.1% | 30 | 90.0% | 43 | 88.4% |
First-attempt and year-end pass rates of RPN applicants by Ontario college, program and campus
In Ontario, 24 colleges offer practical nursing programs. Some colleges offer more than one practical nursing program and some offer practical nursing programs at different campuses of the same college. The table below shows Ontario RPN applicants’ first-attempt pass rates by college, program and campus. It also shows year-end pass rates for Ontario RPN applicants whose first attempt was during that year.
| Ontario college program and campus | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algonquin College | 370 | 94.9% | 95.7% | 229 | 89.1% | 90.0% | 159 | 88.1% | 91.8% | 321 | 83.2% | 89.1% |
| Algonquin College - Pembroke campus | 44 | 90.9% | 90.9% | 27 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 25 | 96.0% | 100.0% | 43 | 88.4% | 88.4% |
| Algonquin College - Woodroffe campus | 326 | 95.4% | 96.3% | 202 | 87.6% | 88.6% | 134 | 86.6% | 90.3% | 278 | 82.4% | 89.2% |
| Cambrian College | 76 | 80.3% | 85.5% | 41 | 82.9% | 90.2% | 25 | 76.0% | 80.0% | 99 | 80.8% | 92.9% |
| Canadore College | 90 | 87.8% | 94.4% | 86 | 88.4% | 89.5% | 54 | 79.6% | 83.3% | 100 | 81.0% | 89.0% |
| Canadore College - Anishinabek Educational Institute - Nipissing campus | 0 | — | — | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8 | 62.5% | 87.5% |
| Canadore College - Kenora 7 Generation Education Institute | 0 | — | — | 5 | 80.0% | 100.0% | 5 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Canadore College - North Bay campus | 90 | 87.8% | 94.4% | 67 | 88.1% | 88.1% | 45 | 77.8% | 82.2% | 74 | 81.1% | 87.8% |
| Canadore College - Parry Sound campus | 0 | — | — | 11 | 90.9% | 90.9% | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 17 | 88.2% | 94.1% |
| Centennial College | 442 | 81.9% | 91.9% | 420 | 79.5% | 86.9% | 262 | 75.2% | 86.3% | 299 | 76.9% | 87.3% |
| Centennial College - Internationally Educated Nurses | 93 | 84.9% | 92.5% | 69 | 85.5% | 91.3% | 55 | 90.9% | 94.5% | 93 | 81.7% | 95.7% |
| Collège Boréal | 31 | 93.5% | 96.8% | 24 | 91.7% | 95.8% | 10 | 90.0% | 90.0% | 26 | 96.2% | 96.2% |
| Collège Boréal - campus de Hearst | 2 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — |
| Collège Boréal - campus de Kapuskasing | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — |
| Collège Boréal - campus de Nipissing | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — |
| Collège Boréal - campus de Sudbury | 13 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13 | 92.3% | 100.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Collège Boréal - campus de Timmins | 10 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6 | 83.3% | 83.3% | 7 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Collège Boréal - campus de Toronto | 2 | 50.0% | 100.0% | 6 | 83.3% | 83.3% | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9 | 88.9% | 88.9% |
| Conestoga College | 222 | 97.3% | 99.5% | 224 | 96.0% | 97.8% | 190 | 95.3% | 97.4% | 258 | 93.8% | 96.1% |
| Conestoga College - Kitchener campus | 222 | 97.3% | 99.5% | 224 | 96.0% | 97.8% | 190 | 95.3% | 97.4% | 258 | 93.8% | 96.1% |
| Conestoga College - Waterloo campus | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — |
| Confederation College | 49 | 93.9% | 95.9% | 87 | 94.3% | 95.4% | 46 | 89.1% | 91.3% | 47 | 87.2% | 100.0% |
| Confederation College - Dryden campus | 0 | — | — | 6 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 6 | 83.3% | 100.0% |
| Confederation College - Kenora campus | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Confederation College - Oshki-Pimache-O-Win campus | 0 | — | — | 10 | 60.0% | 60.0% | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — |
| Confederation College - Rainy River District campus (Fort Frances) | 0 | — | — | 15 | 93.3% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 6 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Confederation College - Sioux Lookout campus | 0 | — | — | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 5 | 80.0% | 100.0% |
| Confederation College - Thunder Bay campus | 49 | 93.9% | 95.9% | 53 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 46 | 89.1% | 91.3% | 27 | 85.2% | 100.0% |
| Confederation College - Thunder Bay campus - Internationally Educated Nurses | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | |||
| Durham College | 226 | 92.0% | 95.6% | 206 | 88.8% | 91.3% | 143 | 80.4% | 88.1% | 238 | 82.8% | 91.2% |
| Fanshawe College | 125 | 94.4% | 98.4% | 105 | 94.3% | 99.0% | 123 | 96.7% | 100.0% | 145 | 93.8% | 98.6% |
| Fanshawe College - London campus | 88 | 96.6% | 100.0% | 77 | 93.5% | 98.7% | 84 | 95.2% | 100.0% | 102 | 94.1% | 98.0% |
| Fanshawe College - Woodstock campus | 37 | 89.2% | 94.6% | 28 | 96.4% | 100.0% | 39 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 43 | 93.0% | 100.0% |
| Fleming College | 150 | 82.0% | 90.0% | 127 | 90.6% | 92.9% | 60 | 86.7% | 90.0% | 206 | 86.4% | 92.7% |
| George Brown College | 344 | 91.6% | 94.5% | 280 | 87.1% | 89.6% | 197 | 90.4% | 94.9% | 388 | 79.4% | 86.6% |
| Georgian College | 289 | 85.5% | 90.7% | 322 | 80.1% | 89.1% | 213 | 84.5% | 91.1% | 321 | 76.3% | 88.5% |
| Georgian College - Barrie campus | 153 | 85.0% | 90.8% | 186 | 79.6% | 88.7% | 150 | 81.3% | 90.7% | 207 | 75.4% | 86.0% |
| Georgian College - Bracebridge campus | 17 | 94.1% | 94.1% | 15 | 93.3% | 93.3% | 0 | — | — | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Georgian College - Midland/Penetanguishene campus | 0 | — | — | 15 | 86.7% | 93.3% | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — |
| Georgian College - Orangeville campus | 29 | 82.8% | 82.8% | 30 | 76.7% | 86.7% | 13 | 84.6% | 84.6% | 39 | 69.2% | 87.2% |
| Georgian College - Owen Sound campus | 90 | 85.6% | 92.2% | 76 | 78.9% | 89.5% | 50 | 94.0% | 94.0% | 74 | 82.4% | 95.9% |
| Humber College | 221 | 90.0% | 93.7% | 181 | 89.5% | 93.9% | 187 | 89.8% | 93.0% | 179 | 83.8% | 90.5% |
| La Cité collégiale (French) | 7 | 71.4% | 100.0% | 10 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20 | 90.0% | 100.0% | 17 | 76.5% | 94.1% |
| Lambton College | 64 | 90.6% | 95.3% | 51 | 96.1% | 96.1% | 54 | 94.4% | 98.1% | 51 | 90.2% | 92.2% |
| Loyalist College | 31 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 44 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 45 | 95.6% | 95.6% | 58 | 96.6% | 100.0% |
| Mohawk College | 229 | 90.4% | 94.8% | 204 | 91.7% | 95.1% | 206 | 89.3% | 93.2% | 233 | 75.5% | 84.5% |
| Mohawk College | 229 | 90.4% | 94.8% | 204 | 91.7% | 95.1% | 206 | 89.3% | 93.2% | 233 | 75.5% | 84.5% |
| Mohawk College - Aboriginal communities | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — |
| Niagara College | 221 | 91.4% | 95.0% | 160 | 88.1% | 91.2% | 123 | 85.4% | 90.2% | 144 | 77.1% | 91.0% |
| Northern College | 23 | 82.6% | 91.3% | 36 | 94.4% | 97.2% | 7 | 85.7% | 85.7% | 44 | 84.1% | 93.2% |
| Northern College - Haileybury campus | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 9 | 88.9% | 100.0% |
| Northern College - Kirkland Lake campus | 0 | — | — | 19 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 4 | 75.0% | 75.0% |
| Northern College - Moosonee campus | 0 | — | — | 2 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Northern College - Timmins campus | 23 | 82.6% | 91.3% | 15 | 86.7% | 93.3% | 7 | 85.7% | 85.7% | 30 | 86.7% | 96.7% |
| Sault College | 69 | 78.3% | 91.3% | 46 | 91.3% | 97.8% | 33 | 69.7% | 72.7% | 76 | 64.5% | 81.6% |
| Seneca College | 294 | 85.4% | 92.2% | 260 | 86.2% | 89.6% | 202 | 74.3% | 82.7% | 332 | 73.8% | 85.5% |
| Seneca College - King campus | 164 | 94.5% | 96.3% | 158 | 91.1% | 94.3% | 109 | 84.4% | 90.8% | 266 | 74.4% | 86.5% |
| Seneca College - Newnham campus | 130 | 73.8% | 86.9% | 102 | 78.4% | 82.4% | 93 | 62.4% | 73.1% | 66 | 71.2% | 81.8% |
| Sheridan College | 134 | 95.5% | 98.5% | 137 | 94.2% | 97.1% | 106 | 92.5% | 93.4% | 186 | 78.0% | 88.7% |
| St. Clair College | 323 | 88.9% | 92.3% | 227 | 85.9% | 89.4% | 121 | 87.6% | 89.3% | 240 | 83.8% | 88.7% |
| St. Clair College - Anishinabek Educational Institute | 0 | — | — | 10 | 60.0% | 60.0% | 0 | — | — | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| St. Clair College - Chatham campus | 91 | 85.7% | 91.2% | 94 | 86.2% | 89.4% | 46 | 95.7% | 95.7% | 115 | 77.4% | 83.5% |
| St. Clair College - Windsor campus | 232 | 90.1% | 92.7% | 123 | 87.8% | 91.9% | 75 | 82.7% | 85.3% | 124 | 89.5% | 93.5% |
| St. Lawrence College | 169 | 89.3% | 92.9% | 138 | 92.8% | 94.9% | 85 | 94.1% | 96.5% | 192 | 83.9% | 91.1% |
| St. Lawrence College - Brockville campus | 41 | 82.9% | 90.2% | 41 | 90.2% | 90.2% | 27 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 68 | 77.9% | 85.3% |
| St. Lawrence College - Cornwall campus | 57 | 91.2% | 93.0% | 47 | 91.5% | 95.7% | 31 | 83.9% | 90.3% | 48 | 77.1% | 89.6% |
| St. Lawrence College - Kingston campus | 71 | 91.5% | 94.4% | 50 | 96.0% | 98.0% | 27 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 76 | 93.4% | 97.4% |
| Total writes from applicants who graduated from Ontario RPN programs | 4,292 | 89.1% | 93.9% | 3,714 | 88.0% | 91.9% | 2,726 | 86.4% | 91.3% | 4,293 | 81.4% | 89.9% |
| Total writes from applicants who graduated from Ontario RN programs* | 8 | 87.5% | 100.0% | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9 | 77.8% | 77.8% |
| Grand total | 4,300 | 89.1% | 93.9% | 3,717 | 88.1% | 91.9% | 2,727 | 86.4% | 91.3% | 4,302 | 81.4% | 89.9% |
| *This row refers to RPN applicants who completed an Ontario RN baccalaureate program but who applied for RPN registration. Applicants do this for a variety of reasons, for example, if they have been unsuccessful registering as an RN or if they want to be registered in both nursing categories. |
Nurse Practitioner Exam Writers5
NP exam pass rates by attempt
In 2021, 397 Nurse Practitioner (NP) applicants to CNO wrote one of the NP exams at least once.
Overall Writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 274 | 98.2% | 283 | 97.9% | 290 | 98.6% | 227 | 99.1% | 394 | 96.2% |
| Second | 11 | 90.9% | 10 | 100.0% | 2 | 50.0% | 2 | 100.0% | 10 | 60.0% |
| Third | 1 | 100.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 100.0% |
Ontario-educated writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 228 | 97.8% | 214 | 97.7% | 217 | 98.6% | 153 | 99.3% | 318 | 95.9% |
| Second | 9 | 88.9% | 7 | 100.0% | 2 | 50.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 9 | 66.7% |
| Third | 1 | 100.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — |
Other province/territory-educated writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 31 | 100.0% | 46 | 97.8% | 52 | 100.0% | 39 | 97.4% | 58 | 96.6% |
| Second | 2 | 100.0% | 2 | 100.0% | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0.0% |
| Third | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 1 | 100.0% |
Internationally-educated writers
| Attempt | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate | Writes | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 15 | 100.0% | 23 | 100.0% | 21 | 95.2% | 35 | 100.0% | 18 | 100.0% |
| Second | 0 | — | 1 | 100.0% | 0 | — | 1 | 100.0% | 0 | — |
| Third | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — |
First-attempt pass rates for French-language NP programs in Ontario
Two Ontario universities offer NP programs in French: Laurentian University and University of Ottawa.
Exam writers can choose to write their registration exam in either English or French and can change their choice on subsequent attempts.
The table below shows 2017-2021 first-attempt pass rates for applicants from French-language NP programs in Ontario and the languages in which the applicants wrote their exams.
| Ontario NP program | Language of exam | Writes | Pass Rate | Writes | Pass Rate | Writes | Pass Rate | Writes | Pass Rate | Writes | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurentian University | French | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — |
| English | 8 | 100.0% | 11 | 100.0% | 15 | 100.0% | 18 | 100.0% | 15 | 86.7% | |
| Total | 8 | 100.0% | 11 | 100.0% | 15 | 100.0% | 18 | 100.0% | 15 | 86.7% | |
| University of Ottawa | French | 7 | 85.7% | 1 | 100.0% | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — |
| English | 11 | 100.0% | 13 | 100.0% | 13 | 100.0% | 2 | 100.0% | 18 | 94.4% | |
| Total | 18 | 94.4% | 14 | 100.0% | 13 | 100.0% | 2 | 100.0% | 18 | 94.4% | |
| Grand Total | French | 7 | 85.7% | 1 | 100.0% | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — |
| English | 19 | 100.0% | 24 | 100.0% | 28 | 100.0% | 20 | 100.0% | 33 | 90.9% | |
| Total | 26 | 96.2% | 25 | 100.0% | 28 | 100.0% | 20 | 100.0% | 33 | 90.9% |
First-attempt and year-end pass rates of NP applicants by specialty and Ontario university
In Ontario, 10 universities offer NP nursing programs. There are three NP specialties: Primary Health Care, Adult and Paediatric, and some universities offer programs for more than one specialty. The table below shows Ontario NP applicants’ first-attempt pass rates by university and specialty. It also shows year-end pass rates for Ontario NP applicants whose first attempt was during that year.
| Specialty and Ontario university | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate | First-Attempt Writes | First-Attempt Pass Rate | Year-End Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Health Care Programs | 157 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 176 | 99.4% | 99.4% | 122 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 254 | 96.1% | 97.2% |
| Lakehead University | 4 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Laurentian University | 11 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15 | 86.7% | 93.3% |
| McMaster University | 17 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 32 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| McMaster University - Post-Master’s | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 4 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Queen’s University | 10 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Queen’s University - Post-Master’s | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7 | 85.7% | 85.7% |
| Ryerson University | 13 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Ryerson University - Post-Master’s | 8 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6 | 83.3% | 83.3% | 5 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10 | 90.0% | 90.0% |
| University of Ottawa | 14 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18 | 94.4% | 94.4% |
| University of Ottawa - Post-Master’s | 7 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| University of Toronto | 21 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 26 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 25 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 38 | 97.4% | 97.4% |
| University of Toronto - Post-Master’s | 0 | — | — | 4 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — |
| University of Windsor | 14 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16 | 93.8% | 93.8% |
| University of Windsor - Post-Master’s | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Western University | 15 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Western University - Post-Master’s | 2 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| York University | 17 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | — | — | 34 | 91.2% | 97.1% |
| Adult Programs | 42 | 92.9% | 97.6% | 32 | 96.9% | 96.9% | 31 | 96.8% | 96.8% | 42 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| University of Toronto | 35 | 91.4% | 97.1% | 22 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28 | 96.4% | 96.4% | 35 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| University of Toronto - Post-Master’s | 7 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10 | 90.0% | 90.0% | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Paediatrics Programs | 15 | 86.7% | 93.3% | 9 | 88.9% | 88.9% | 0 | — | — | 22 | 86.4% | 90.9% |
| University of Toronto | 13 | 92.3% | 100.0% | 9 | 88.9% | 88.9% | 0 | — | — | 19 | 84.2% | 89.5% |
| University of Toronto - Post-Master’s | 2 | 50.0% | 50.0% | 0 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Grand total | 214 | 97.7% | 99.1% | 217 | 98.6% | 98.6% | 153 | 99.3% | 99.3% | 318 | 95.9% | 97.2% |
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In this report, the term “Nurse Practitioner” or “NP” refers to applicants seeking registration as a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class.↩︎
Visit www.cno.org/en/what-is-cno/councils-and-committees/council for more information about CNO’s Council.↩︎
Visit www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm for more information about the NCLEX-RN.↩︎
Council has approved other exams that fulfil the NP registration exam requirement, but applicants would have written them in other provinces or countries.↩︎
In this report, the term “Nurse Practitioner” or “NP” refers to applicants seeking registration as a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class.↩︎